Well I've decided to get the following: EXPED - SIM - Sleeping mat - 197 x 65 x 3.8. Weight 1.225. R value 4.6. Should off plenty of insulation below be and at 65cm wide is a lot wider than the suggested mat so offers more coverage. Doubt I'll need it now until next winter though.
In reply to Post #4
Will these fit a sleepsystem with a bag attached to the bed?
Will these fit a sleepsystem with a bag attached to the bed?
I had a Nash ss3 sleep system, but found it a bit too restrictive when trying to move around in the bag. I got a Gardner compact bag to replace the sleep system, . But found the zips weren't great and the toggle in bag wasn't really to my liking as I like to sleep on my side with the zip undone, so need a good overlap to stop draught. I bought the new trakker 365 bag and it's perfect for me . big enough to allow an overlap on the open side. No fleece inner so easy to move around inside bag.inner bag easily removable for summer use. Check it out if you need a new bag.
In reply to Post #1
Might be a daft question but your are using a groundsheet?
Some good tips,, I have a JRC fleece bedchair cover, put that under the bag. Nothing worse than feeling the cold penetrate through to your back in the night though
If I was looking at buying something else I would have a look at the snugpack arctic mat, made for just that, packs down nice and small too
Might be a daft question but your are using a groundsheet?
Some good tips,, I have a JRC fleece bedchair cover, put that under the bag. Nothing worse than feeling the cold penetrate through to your back in the night though
If I was looking at buying something else I would have a look at the snugpack arctic mat, made for just that, packs down nice and small too
In reply to Post #4
Took Oldgeezers advice and got one of these too
Took Oldgeezers advice and got one of these too
I've seen it mentioned on the forum before by Dave (Baitman).
I quote:-
"Id highly recommend only getting a 3/4 length self inflating mat rather than a full length.
If you get a full length then most of your weight is on the top half (shoulder to hips) and the extra air is pushed to the foot end so you end up virtually flat on the bedchair with little mattress padding."
Has anyone else experienced that? I know it's slightly off topic as I'm not concerned about heat-loss as I use a bedchair cover for that and don't experience a 'cold bedchair', it's more for the comfort really.
I quote:-
"Id highly recommend only getting a 3/4 length self inflating mat rather than a full length.
If you get a full length then most of your weight is on the top half (shoulder to hips) and the extra air is pushed to the foot end so you end up virtually flat on the bedchair with little mattress padding."
Has anyone else experienced that? I know it's slightly off topic as I'm not concerned about heat-loss as I use a bedchair cover for that and don't experience a 'cold bedchair', it's more for the comfort really.
In reply to Post #21
I have been using my Mountain Equipment Helium 3.8 Warm Zone Sleeping Mat for a few years and never had this at all ?? maybe depends on the make of matt ?
some are truly awful they dont breath and you sweat your nuts off
as far as size and thickness goes the Helium fits perfectly on any size bed Ive used it on (3) as beds all have a bit of a raised edge this sits inside and does not move around when I bought mine I was 17 stone with a 50" chest and it was plenty big enough and thick enough I initially bought it due to feeling cold coming thru my back this instantly fixed the problem and as an unexpected bonus the level of comfort improved too
the Helium is designed to be laid on the ground and slept on it gets over 150 5 star reviews from the back packers that use it like this
so obviously putting it on an already padded bed
you can buy thicker wider ones but I dont see the point at all you get what you pay for in this case
biggest mistake is blowing them up they AINT an air bed lol
simply follow the makers instructions to the letter
I have been using my Mountain Equipment Helium 3.8 Warm Zone Sleeping Mat for a few years and never had this at all ?? maybe depends on the make of matt ?
some are truly awful they dont breath and you sweat your nuts off
as far as size and thickness goes the Helium fits perfectly on any size bed Ive used it on (3) as beds all have a bit of a raised edge this sits inside and does not move around when I bought mine I was 17 stone with a 50" chest and it was plenty big enough and thick enough I initially bought it due to feeling cold coming thru my back this instantly fixed the problem and as an unexpected bonus the level of comfort improved too
the Helium is designed to be laid on the ground and slept on it gets over 150 5 star reviews from the back packers that use it like this
so obviously putting it on an already padded bed you can buy thicker wider ones but I dont see the point at all you get what you pay for in this case
biggest mistake is blowing them up they AINT an air bed lol
simply follow the makers instructions to the letter
In reply to Post #22
Personal choice......I find my helium pointless without me giving it a good few puffs to get it nice and comfortable ....... 
Personal choice......I find my helium pointless without me giving it a good few puffs to get it nice and comfortable .......
In reply to Post #21
It's definitely the case that a 3/4 mat support's you better than a full length one.
Get a lilo and blow it up to about a quarter capacity and lay it on a hard floor. Lay on it on your back and your main body area between your shoulders and butt will be on virtually on the floor.
Now turn on your side... how hard is the ground now.
All the air is being pushed to where there is no weight on it.
A 3/4 mat will support the areas where you need it, shouder to hips, and that's the most important thing.
It's definitely the case that a 3/4 mat support's you better than a full length one.
Get a lilo and blow it up to about a quarter capacity and lay it on a hard floor. Lay on it on your back and your main body area between your shoulders and butt will be on virtually on the floor.
Now turn on your side... how hard is the ground now.
All the air is being pushed to where there is no weight on it.
A 3/4 mat will support the areas where you need it, shouder to hips, and that's the most important thing.
In reply to Post #21
And just to make sure you're all paying attention
It's definitely the case that a 3/4 mat support's you better than a full length one.
Get a lilo and blow it up to about a quarter capacity and lay it on a hard floor. Lay on it on your back and your main body area between your shoulders and butt will be on virtually on the floor.
Now turn on your side... how hard is the ground now.
All the air is being pushed to where there is no weight on it.
A 3/4 mat will support the areas where you need it, shouder to hips, and that's the most important thing.
And just to make sure you're all paying attention
It's definitely the case that a 3/4 mat support's you better than a full length one.
Get a lilo and blow it up to about a quarter capacity and lay it on a hard floor. Lay on it on your back and your main body area between your shoulders and butt will be on virtually on the floor.
Now turn on your side... how hard is the ground now.
All the air is being pushed to where there is no weight on it.
A 3/4 mat will support the areas where you need it, shouder to hips, and that's the most important thing.
Bit of flatulence and you'll be toasty!
Don't try too hard though 😂
Don't try too hard though 😂
In reply to Post #25
Do you have any suggestions on a 3/4 mat Dave?
Wayne, I know plenty that do the same, ultra marathon runners/wild campers and smelly carp anglers.
Whatever makes you comfortable I suppose.
Do you have any suggestions on a 3/4 mat Dave?
Wayne, I know plenty that do the same, ultra marathon runners/wild campers and smelly carp anglers.
Whatever makes you comfortable I suppose.
In reply to Post #27
I have an old therma rest mat, but any half decent 3/4 length mat should do fine.
This one looks good and gets good reviews on amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Berghaus-Peak-Compact-Self-Inflating-Green/dp/B08964H3M9/ref=asc_df_B08964H3M9/?918789699585
I have an old therma rest mat, but any half decent 3/4 length mat should do fine.
This one looks good and gets good reviews on amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Berghaus-Peak-Compact-Self-Inflating-Green/dp/B08964H3M9/ref=asc_df_B08964H3M9/?918789699585
In reply to Post #26
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
In reply to Post #23
I will take peoples word for inflatable mats. I tried an Outwell one quite a while ago now, admittedly not overly expensive but found it to be utter *****, worse than just the bedchair!
I will take peoples word for inflatable mats. I tried an Outwell one quite a while ago now, admittedly not overly expensive but found it to be utter *****, worse than just the bedchair!